Jockey seat and wheel steering conversion for RIB

[TwoHooter]

Does anyone have any experience of fitting a Jockey seat and wheel-operated steering gear to a tiller-steered RIB?

 

[Sticky Fingers]

I looked into this last year. There are some third party kits available but seems a much better bet to sell whatever you have and buy a console RIB that's designed that way.

Brig, AB, Sur and Zodiac do some very nice ones. Bound to be some others.

They are a lot heavier than a standard RIB so storage and launch systems might need changing.

 

[TwoHooter]

Thanks for your reply.
There isn't a single RIB of the makes you mention, at the size we need, not one, anywhere in the UK. All production is sold out until next year apparently, and I know of one case where a purchaser paid above list price to secure the last BRIG in a particular showroom.
Two dealers haven't even had the courtesy to get back to me.
I promised my wife we would have a steering wheel RIB this year. Looks like I might have to break my promise!
It's a pity because our existing RIB is really good apart from the tiller steering. We use it for quite long trips up rivers and I am fed up with sitting on an uncomfortable tube and twisting sideways to look where we are going for an hour or two sometimes, and my wife gets confused by the tiller at the worst possible moments even though she used to sail dinghies competently.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

You could try Terry at Excel:
RIBs Excel Virago 390 RIB. Excel Rigid Inflatable Boats.

I know he was ordering a load of stock in. Might have something suitable... UK company but sourced in the far east.

 

[TwoHooter]

You could try Terry at Excel:
RIBs Excel Virago 390 RIB. Excel Rigid Inflatable Boats.
I know he was ordering a load of stock in. Might have something suitable... UK company but sourced in the far east.

Thanks, I've sent a message.
I'm still toying with the idea of converting our existing RIB. It fits on the mothership OK and is narrower than most modern designs so we have plenty of space on the boat deck, it's stayed in good condition for 16 years with seemingly plenty of life left, and it goes like a bat out of hell when I get the chance which isn't often. It's got oars which we find essential, and wheels, and I really like it except for the tiller steering. I want a proper seat and a wheel!

 

[Somerset Jim]

We have a zodiac 3.1m which was converted by a previous owner (photo attached). It was a conversion kit I believe and it works well for us. 20hp trim and tilt Yamaha 4 stroke engine, fuel tank in the console and storage in the bow for an anchor and some chain. You're welcome to come over and have a look if it helps with planning since we are in Sutton as well, albeit Guys Quay.



This looks like the console we have in ours and the previous owner managed to fit a switch panel, flush mounted chartlotter and flush mounted sounder.

NEW Small JOCKEY CONSOLE COMPLETE: Rib Boat Inflatable Seat Mini Micro Seat JC 1 | eBay

 

[Greg2]

We have an AB RIB and we actively considered doing this but a big boat change meant that we didn’t get round to it.

Most console RIBs that I have seen are actually a standard RIB with the console added so you would only be doing what the dealers do. Getting a compatible console is relatively straightforward (assuming supply chains aren’t a problem) and there are conversions kits to be had for some tiller outboards. Failing that an engine change might be necessary bit that isn’t necessarily a show stopper.

 

[Zing]

I converted mine. I fitted the moulded console, screwed to the deck, added a wheel, throttle and steering cable. Bought a new motor - a cable steered version. Added rpm and tilt and fuel and hrs gauges. Made a lithium battery holder. A couple of suppliers exist for the consoles. I will look them up if you don’t know which one to get.

 

[Ferris]

No exact experience but I have recently been setting up my jockey seat RIB with a new engine and a bit of a background with RIB's.

Throttle and associated cables came with my 'new' engine but it sounds like you need those and a linkage kit for your engine. These can be £££ and would generally replace your current tiller! You might list the motor and type?

Steering, you will need the helm unit and correct length cable - spurious from ultraflex or similar would be fine, probably OE spec anyway. The cable / steering ram will need to bolt / attach to the saddle on your engine - easy if your engine had a steering option. Also you will need a steering arm - these usually come as a kit from the engine manufacturer - I recently spent ~£100 on one for a Merc 50hp.

Jockey seats are expensive - basic ones are probably £400 or more new. You may need upholstery and a backrest (advised) so this might be extra. You will have to experiment with position to get the trim right. Secured to the deck can be by self tappers and sikaflex. Some people glass them in also.

After all that you will most probably still have to go aft to adjust trim manually etc. which is a chore if you beach the RIB.

I think I would just buy a good 2nd hand rib which was fitted out as desired. Ensure that the tubes are good as this is the largest cost item, engine next obviously. Hulls, consoles etc. can be fixed as good as new by a decent GRP guy.

 

[Sticky Fingers]

@TwoHooter boats.co.uk have this used one in stock, might suit you:

Just In 2016 Brig F300 Rib - Boats.co.uk

 

[tico]

ISTR that Outhill boats between Studley and Warwick used to make a selection of consoles.... update .. apparently the tooling was bought by Cheetah Marine on the Isle of Wight

 

[TwoHooter]

Thanks to everyone - I am in a rush this morning so will go through the replies in detail later. But I did have time to notice that the BRIG which Boats are offering (thanks Scala, I didn't see that myself) is 5 years old, has no additions beyond the standard fit-out, and is offered at £300 (3%) below list price! I suppose if the current mad money printing continues it will go up in value, as our mothership has done this year, but it goes against the grain to pay pretty much full price for a 5 year old RIB.
I'll probably post again this afternoon.

 

[BruceK]

Thanks to everyone - I am in a rush this morning so will go through the replies in detail later. But I did have time to notice that the BRIG which Boats are offering (thanks Scala, I didn't see that myself) is 5 years old, has no additions beyond the standard fit-out, and is offered at £300 (3%) below list price! I suppose if the current mad money printing continues it will go up in value, as our mothership has done this year, but it goes against the grain to pay pretty much full price for a 5 year old RIB.
I'll probably post again this afternoon.

Those are crazy prices. If I may offer a suggestion. I have recently purchased a 290 Mercury Ocean Runner for ~1500. These are designed to come with or without jockey seat. To buy it with a jockey seat included was $$$$$ more. I bought a second hand jockey seat in good condition for 200 and am getting the engine converted from tiller to remotes for around £300 from SI Marine.
As for the quality and build of the mercury ocean runner I cant fault it for UK use. It goes quickly, handles extremely well, has chines and stepped hull, weighs 65 kilo and the only negative comment I can make is the chines will make for some spray and a wet ride at 25knts plus. Not a soaking but I wear spectacles and that annoys me a bit.

 

[Ferris]

If researching RIB tenders maybe look at Walker Bay, AB, Zodiac & Highfield also. WB, AB abd Zodiac are high quality. Highfield are Chinese made but they have been getting some good reports, not in the same league as the top manufacturers however but Alu hulled and may have supply.

 

[TwoHooter]

You're welcome to come over and have a look if it helps with planning since we are in Sutton as well, albeit Guys Quay.

Thanks Jim, hope to see you some time. We are Nordhavn40 "Coracle" on A pontoon.

Most console RIBs that I have seen are actually a standard RIB with the console added so you would only be doing what the dealers do. Getting a compatible console is relatively straightforward (assuming supply chains aren’t a problem) and there are conversions kits to be had for some tiller outboards. Failing that an engine change might be necessary bit that isn’t necessarily a show stopper.

Thanks - but it turns out there are NO engines available and we want a 4 stroke engine as part of the change (for quietness).

I converted mine. I fitted the moulded console, screwed to the deck, added a wheel, throttle and steering cable. Bought a new motor - a cable steered version. Added rpm and tilt and fuel and hrs gauges. Made a lithium battery holder. A couple of suppliers exist for the consoles. I will look them up if you don’t know which one to get.

Thanks, but see below.

I think I would just buy a good 2nd hand rib which was fitted out as desired. Ensure that the tubes are good as this is the largest cost item, engine next obviously. Hulls, consoles etc. can be fixed as good as new by a decent GRP guy.

Agreed.

ISTR that Outhill boats between Studley and Warwick used to make a selection of consoles.... update .. apparently the tooling was bought by Cheetah Marine on the Isle of Wight

Thanks, but I've gone off the idea (that didn't take long!)

If researching RIB tenders maybe look at Walker Bay, AB, Zodiac & Highfield also. WB, AB abd Zodiac are high quality. Highfield are Chinese made but they have been getting some good reports, not in the same league as the top manufacturers however but Alu hulled and may have supply.

Thanks, I'm looking at all these but the last two dealers I spoke to won't even take reservations. One of them is still waiting for the last of his 2020 boats to be delivered.

Thank goodness we still have (a) the mothership, and (b) the existing RIB. Our broker contacted all the N40 owners last year asking if anyone wanted to sell. Thankfully we declined. At least we are still in the boating game and not looking in from the sidelines!

 

[powerboats]

We currently have in stock a limited number of the below models (in dark grey), available immediately without engine, or around the end of May/early June with a Mercury 20 HP electric start/power tilt outboard:

ZAR mini 3.0-3.6m Jockey Console RIB Tender Package
ZAR mini 3.0-3.8m Floating Console RIB Tender Package

Alternatively we have the following 3.8m with Suzuki 30 HP, or 4.2m with Mercury 50 HP, all in stock ready for rigging:

ZAR mini 3.8-4.2m Jockey Console RIB Package

 

[TwoHooter]

We currently have in stock a limited number of the below models (in dark grey), available immediately without engine, or around the end of May/early June with a Mercury 20 HP electric start/power tilt outboard:
ZAR mini 3.0-3.6m Jockey Console RIB Tender Package
ZAR mini 3.0-3.8m Floating Console RIB Tender Package
Alternatively we have the following 3.8m with Suzuki 30 HP, or 4.2m with Mercury 50 HP, all in stock ready for rigging:
ZAR mini 3.8-4.2m Jockey Console RIB Package

Thanks for your positive response. PM sent.

 

[JerseyDiver]

Thank goodness we still have (a) the mothership, and (b) the existing RIB. Our broker contacted all the N40 owners last year asking if anyone wanted to sell. Thankfully we declined. At least we are still in the boating game and not looking in from the sidelines!

We sold our previous boat at the start of Covid and are currently looking for a Nordhavn, we bought the tender in the interim and it has had some serious use in the past 12 months.


Have a look at xs-ribs.co.uk. Sure they could supply a loose console / seat depending on how small your tender is? As mentioned above the sticking point is probably the conversion kit for your existing outboard or just change the engine when upgrading ?

another option would be the Highfield FCT option to add to your tender. Runs about $2000

 

[TwoHooter]

We sold our previous boat at the start of Covid and are currently looking for a Nordhavn, we bought the tender in the interim and it has had some serious use in the past 12 months.
Have a look at xs-ribs.co.uk. Sure they could supply a loose console / seat depending on how small your tender is? As mentioned above the sticking point is probably the conversion kit for your existing outboard or just change the engine when upgrading ?
another option would be the Highfield FCT option to add to your tender. Runs about $2000

Thanks but things have moved on.
Today I was offered two Brig Falcon300 HTs and I have agreed to buy one of them subject to inspection tomorrow.

Good luck with your search for a Nordhavn. If you have any questions which you think I might be able to help with, please just ask.